You can say a lot of not very nice things about the Orioles’ current roster. You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who thinks the roster is even decent, let alone understand why someone would even think that. That said, one of the goals for the O’s offseason was to improve the team’s defense up the middle, which could represent a minor victory of sorts for a team that will likely lose an awful lot once again.

Rule 5 picks Richie Martin and Drew Jackson are wild cards, but Martin has been particularly impressive with the glove at shortstop in spring training. They both bring more youth and defensive upside than, say, Alcides Escobar would. Using Martin or Jackson or even Escobar at shortstop would also enable Jonathan Villar to play full-time at second base, where he’s fared better defensively. Cedric Mullins could see the bulk of the playing time in center field, and he adds some much-needed range. Austin Hays is healthy and hitting and even relearned how to run...